Siege by the Mongols of Alamut 1213-1214 Miniature "Jami at-tawarih" Rashid ad-Din. National Library of France, Department of Manuscripts, Eastern Division.
Blade, chain mail, long spear
And a good horse - when with such an outfit
You crossed the border, they say:
Surf can not argue with a waterfall.
Rings fly off enemy chain mail
Like feathers of birds, beaten by a strong hail.
The enemy rushes about, hunted like a beast
And captivity to him is an unexpected reward.
Abu-t-Tayyib ibn al-Hussein al-Jufi (915-965) Translation from the Arabic language Volosatova V.A
And a good horse - when with such an outfit
You crossed the border, they say:
Surf can not argue with a waterfall.
Rings fly off enemy chain mail
Like feathers of birds, beaten by a strong hail.
The enemy rushes about, hunted like a beast
And captivity to him is an unexpected reward.
Abu-t-Tayyib ibn al-Hussein al-Jufi (915-965) Translation from the Arabic language Volosatova V.A
Warriors of Eurasia. Readers of “VO” have probably already noticed the disappearance from the pages of the website of a series of articles on Eurasian warriors from 1050–1350 based on the materials of a two-volume monograph by the English historian Dove. Nicolas. But there is only one reason - the lack of materials for decoration. The fact is that after the last material of the cycle "Warriors of North Africa 1050-1350" such chapters should have followed: Maghrib and Sicily, Andalusia, Arabia, The Fertile Crescent, Iraq and Syria, and Islamic Anatolia. And in the monograph of D. Nicolas there are graphic depictions of artifacts and miniatures. But where to find their originals? Nicole himself worked for many years in the East: first at the Arabica Air Force, then, having received a PhD degree at the University of Edinburgh, he read for many years history Islamic and world architecture at the University of Yarmouk in Jordan, well, traveled all over the Near and Middle East, museums and ruins, churches and monasteries. Today, things have become more complicated. Many museums are simply plundered and do not function. Others do not respond to requests from Russians. The fourth on the Internet posted only their names and opening hours. It seems to be an age of information, but on many topics it is simply impossible to find. So I had to abandon many topics, unfortunately. But today we are returning to the publication of articles in the cycle and expanding its chronological framework due to the peculiarities of the development of oriental culture.
Saber Shemshire Indo-Iranian specimen, whose blade dates from 1748–1749 or 1750–1751. Iranian blade, scabbard and bandage - Indian. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
And we will talk about the warriors of Iran, including the Turks who lived in Azerbaijan and the neighboring Iranian province of Adharbajan, who appeared in this region relatively recently, as well as the Kurds of Iran, Iraq and southeastern Turkey.
The power here from 934 to 1062 belonged to the Buids, a Shiite military dynasty that managed to transform the Abbasid caliphate into the Iranian empire. Its founders were the brothers Ali, Hassan, and Ahmed Buid, who came from the highlands of Dale in Gilan (Northern Iran), who were mercenary military leaders who managed to rise during the Ziyarid dynasty. The Buids are known for adhering to the traditions of the old Persian culture, and from 945 to 1055 they even ruled Baghdad (while occupying the inherited post of Amir al-Umara, the post of Supreme Commander and Commander of the Guard of Ghouls) and most of the lands of modern Iraq. The paradox of the situation was that they did not officially recognize the spiritual authority of the Sunni caliph in Baghdad. In relation to Christians and Sunni Muslims, a policy of tolerance was carried out. Smart people. They realized that the civil war did not bode well for them. But in the second half of the XI century, the Buids nevertheless fell, becoming victims of the invasion of the Seljuk Turks and their allies.
Horseman of the Buid cavalry. Iranian 1976 History Guide Sale dovvome rahnamai, p. 29
Shemshire from Persia (circa 1800), it is made from Indian Damascus steel. The luxurious thing: small pearls are inserted into the slot near the blade, the decoration is made with enamel, gold, emeralds, “fish skin”, an ivory hilt. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The appearance of a warrior-dalemith Same source
Turkish toothfish or kylych. The blade dates from 1550–1551. Again, the range of such blades was very wide, there are also Armory Kremlin chamber (saber of Prince Mstislavsky). Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Interestingly, initially their power rested solely on the army, consisting almost entirely of the infantry of the Dalemit Highlanders, famous for their ferocity and love of garlic. And the Sassanids willingly used them as an elite infantry, for which they eventually paid. Moreover, the severity of weapons Dalemity did not differ.
Warriors of Iran X-XI centuries. Illustration by Angus McBride: 1 - Sassanid horseman of the X century; 2 - rider of the cavalry of the Buid dynasty; 3 - infantryman-delemite, beginning of the 4th century; XNUMX - Guardsman of the Ghaznavid army, mid-XNUMXth century
The Dalemites themselves were belligerent, but somewhat culturally backward, known for their terrifying appearance and the habit of wearing swords not only on their belts, like the Arabs, but also on the bandages, like Persians or Turks. For a long time they were known as good mercenaries. Where they just did not serve: from Afghanistan to Syria and Egypt! Their armament was quite limited, but nonetheless effective: a set of short copies and also a large, brightly colored shield. Swords, battle axes and bows (the latter, perhaps, were used by the arrows that were behind the spearmen infantry). If armor was used, then it was mainly chain mail. The tactics of the battle of the Dalemites were simple but effective: the infantry had to hold the front even during the advance. Meanwhile, the cavalry, divided into units, attacked the enemy several times, attacking and retreating in the traditional Arabic style. The horseman’s traditional weapon was the moon-shaped tabarzin ax (literally “saddle-ax”), which was also used in Fatimid Egypt.
Typical Iranian chain mail plate armor of the XVI century. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
According to their military traditions, they are very similar to the Ghulam, but they were Sunnis, so the rivalry between the two groups was very fierce.
The Seljuks, who destroyed the Buid state, were nomadic steppes, the main striking force of which were horse archers. However, having subjugated Iran, the Seljuks soon adopted its principles of forming their army. The country was divided into twenty-four military regions, each of which was under a regional command. In fact, these were the provincial military governors who had to collect, train and equip a certain number of soldiers every year, who regularly gathered in pre-equipped places to spend the summer either in training or participating in a military campaign. As for the nomadic element represented by Turkmen soldiers who did not want to settle down, they would be transferred to border areas where they acted as semi-official armed forces raiding enemy territory. In these campaigns it quickly became clear that the ghouls of the Baghdad caliphs were better disciplined, better “armored”, better trained and, as a rule, more universal as warriors. Gulam’s tactics included archery both on target and in squares, both in open combat and during a siege, and this technique required constant practice and great skill. They were also better prepared for close combat, in which they were very effective because of their heavy armor, which often included horse armor. The written sources list the equipment of these elite warriors: a spear, a dart, a sword, a bow, a mace, a lasso, a hauberk and a helmet with a hood or decorated with a horse tail, with the spear giving priority. These professional warriors were described by the Byzantine princess Anna Komnina as more knightly than even the Western European crusaders.
1050th century Seljuk warrior Fig. Angus McBride from the book by Nikolle D. “Saracen Faris AD 1250-XNUMX”
Kurds as warriors became known only at the end of the Seljukids, when they became the original basis of Ayubid power in the late XII and early XIII centuries. For a long time they were considered effective cavalry, rode relatively large horses, wore generally heavier armor than the Arabs, and their sword was their favorite weapon. Kurdish infantry is rarely mentioned, but the Kurdish cavalry was used by the Ghaznavids and served Saladin and his other heirs, as well as in Egypt and Syria. But it was in the service of Ayyubids that the Kurdish horsemen became most famous and played a very important role in the wars in the East, as they were the personal guard of Saladin.
Gulyams - armored men of the army of Saladin in a battle with the crusaders. Fig. Angus McBride
Persian horseman of the beginning of the 1050th century Fig. Angus McBride from the book by Nikolle D. “Saracen Faris AD 1250-XNUMX”
After the invasion of the Mongols and the inclusion of this region in the state of Ilkhanov, all these warriors fell sharply in terms of prestige towards the Mongols and their descendants. However, they continued to serve their new rulers, as did mercenaries from much more distant lands, including Europeans, probably mainly as crossbowmen, although some may have continued to serve as heavy cavalry. Italian sailors or marines are even mentioned in sources serving on the Black Sea; some of them were recruited for sailing on ships in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. Some sources report that Italian sailors in the XIII century sailed even in the Indian Ocean, while being in the service of the Mongol ilkhans!
Ghazakhand's eastern armor (a), described by Osama ibn Munkiz (see also the previous figure in the upper left). It was a complex chain mail armor of several layers: the first outer layer was bright Bukhara fabric, the second layer was a “Frankish” heavy chain mail of large rings, underneath it was a cotton quilted Bukhara fabric, the fourth layer was Iranian chain mail from small rings, and, finally, under it Silk lining of Chinese silk. Osama ibn Munkyz wrote that on top of such armor for a horse attack they also put on a shell of plates (!), Which provided complete protection in the complex, but when leaving for reconnaissance at night, such a shell was removed, since the plates clattered loudly against each other. B - a button to it
Dresden Armory. Tatar saber (?) With a point for piercing chain mail
However, the following is interesting: in spite of everything, the influence of those who arrived in the lands of modern Iran and Iraq was not at all as great as it might have seemed, including in the military field. Over time, a very peculiar complex of protective armor and offensive weapons developed here. Since the rider’s main weapon was a bow, the helmets here were never completely closed. The shoulder girdle was supposed to have maximum mobility. Hence the dominance of chain mail, and with short, to the elbow, sleeves. The torso was covered with forged carapace, both front and rear, and from the sides. But, unlike the European anatomical shell, a simple “fold” was used here on loops of four plates: charayna - “four mirrors”. It consisted of a bib, a back plate and had one plate under each arm, and was worn over a thin chain mail. The hips were protected by chain mail, descending below the knees, and the knees themselves - with forged convex kneecaps. Finally, Persian kalkan shields were widely used, small in size, made of brass, iron and ... reed! And distinguished by the presence of four ombons.
Charaina - “four mirrors”, XVIII century Appeared in Persia in the XVI century. Pay attention to the amazing, engraved on it domestic and hunting scenes. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Iranian equestrian armor of the XVIII century. Illustration from the book “Cavalry. The history of fighting elite 650BC - AD1914 »V.Vuksic, Z.Grbasic
Well, then on the expanses of the Persian state, centuries of unrest began. Who only did not come here and did not fight here!
Only with the capable and energetic Nadir Shah (1736-47) did the state manage to be brought into relative order, which made it possible to have a disciplined army, consisting mainly of cavalry. He first defeated Turkey, then recaptured the Caspian coast from Russia, which gave him the opportunity to fight Afghanistan, from where a new threat was coming from the Pashtun tribes or the Gilja. In response, he entered Afghanistan and took Kabul. Then he captured Lahore and Delhi along the Indus valley to the Arabian Sea, then again turned north through Kandahar and Turkestan, and captured Bukhara and Khiva.
Iranian-Turkish soldiers of the 1th century: 2 - infantryman from Western Anatolia in the first half of the 3th century, XNUMX - Turkish horseman-ghazi, first half of the XNUMXth century, XNUMX - Turkmen horseman in the beginning of the XNUMXth century Fig. Angus McBride
The Persian army participated in this large-scale campaign, consisting of equestrian nobility (an analogue of the local cavalry of pre-Petrine Russia), light nomadic cavalry, infantry and artillery. Moreover, from the end of the XNUMXth century, infantry and artillery units appeared in it, which had firearms and were trained by European instructors. However, the tactics and equipment of the cavalry remained the same, although the quality and beauty of armor, chain mail and sabers reached their zenith in the XNUMXth century. The main weapons of the Persians of the upper class at this time were a light spear, composite bow and saber. They also used a mace and short steel spears carried in a case.
References
1. Zakeri, Mohsen (1995). Sasanid Soldiers in Early Muslim Society: The Origins of 'Ayyārān and Futuwwa. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 1–391.
2. Nicolle, D. Arms and Armor of the Crusading Era, 1050 - 1350. UK. L .: Greenhill Books. Vol. 2. pp. 219-251.
3. Vuksic, V., Grbasic, Z. “Cavalry. The history of fighting elite 650BC - AD1914. " pp. 148-149
4. Nicolle, D. Saracen Faris 1050-1250 AD.L.:Osprey (Warrior No. 10), pp. 1-48
To be continued ...